Well, we are getting in to that time of year when faithful fans will flock to the hometowns, or a close proximity, of their favorite Southern Gospel artists to attend their annual homecoming events. It seems there is another tradition that is continued this time of year as well. Groups and soloists alike will pack up and head to the destination(s) of their choice, pay $100 or so and compete in a Talent Contest / Search. Is it worth the price of admission? I guess that would depend on how you look at it.
Back in July of 2001, my family and I vacationed to Huntsville, Alabama. You know the usual visits to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama Constitution Village, Early Works Children's Museum, and the Historic Huntsville Depot. But our vacation included something else … a Saturday visit to Gadsden, Alabama – home of the Gold City Quartet. I was going to compete in their annual talent contest. I had mailed in my $100 and was ready to introduce Jim Hollis to the Southern Gospel world. I stepped on stage, sang my three and a half minute song (which I nailed by the way), and went my merry way. You probably already guessed that I did not win, or even place in the contest.
So would I say it was worth the “price of admission?” Again, I say it depends on how you look at it. For me, an artist that will never be anything more than a regional performer here in central Illinois, I would have to answer “no.” Now for the artists that are trying to expand and introduce their ministry to new areas or even contemplating trying to make a go at it full time, a contest / talent search like this has the possibility of providing some much needed exposure. Should you win or place, well that could lead to some really good things. Just ask the Hoskins Family, The Gospel Enforcers, and Paid in Full.
If you're interested, here is a list of some contests and links to their web sites for more information.
6th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival Talent Contest
July 30 th 2005 Smyrna, TN http://gospelmusicfanfestival.com/talentcontest/
Midwest Southern Gospel Talent Search
August 13 th 2005 Goshen, OH
http://www.growing-in-grace.com/talentcontest.asp
Southern Gospel Music Fanfair
August 20 th 2005 Chattanooga, TN
http://www.sgmfanfair.com/index.html?row2col2=talentsearch2.html
National Quartet Convention Talent Search Competition
September 16 th and 17 th 2005 Louisville, KY http://www.natqc.com/ntalent.htm
Author: Jim Hollis
| Author's Website: http://www.gracebaptisturbana.com
Written: 07/01/2005
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Category: Monthly ArticlesJim's Perspective
Comments: 1
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Back in 2000 I entered in a local talent search sponsored by Joy FM and JBS Productions. I almost did not enter because I did not want to pay the $75.00 entry fee. My boss at the time talked me into it. I ended up winning 1st place. It does get you leads and bookings. The contest I think that are the best are some of the national ones that you send a demo to such as Exalting Him sponsored by Daywind and Christian Artist Talent search Sponsored by INSP Nework. I have been fortunate to make the semi finals in both. The thing I like about these type of Talent searches, is there are thousands of people that enter. You will get an honost critque. You know if you make it to the semi finals or finals in these type of talent searches that you will be competing with some of the best talent in the nation. It is just great if you make it that far. It also will get you contacts and leads. I did have a very bad experience with one talent search that I made the semi finals in. I will not name the company but it is a well known company in TN. They held a national Southern Gospel Talent search. I was very excited when they emailed me and said that I had made the semi finals. When I traveled to TN to Compete, It ended up being a rap and hip hop gospel talent search. Only five of us Southern Gospel Artist made it to the semi finals. Now that was an experience I will never forgot. Also a lesson learned.
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